title: Investigations of HBe antigen. Note I. Prevalence of HBeAg and anti-HBe in the stationary phase of HBsAg-positive acute viral hepatitis.
abstract: The presence of HBeAg and anti-HBe was investigated in 1,088 serum samples from 436 patients with HBsAg-positive acute viral hepatitis. The prevalence of HBeAg in the initial serum samples (collected upon hospital admission) was of 37.47%. In view of the results obtained with serial serum samples collected at 1-week-intervals the patients could be grouped into 4 categories: 1) seroconversion; 2) persistence of HBeAg; 3) presence of anti-HBe and 4) other serological sequences, irregular as compared with the former ones. Some serological characteristics point to a similar pathogenic behaviour in the first 3 categories, distinct from that of the patients belonging to the 4th category; the difference is ascribed to deficiencies in the immune response to hepatitis B virus antigens.
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D005779:Immunodiffusion
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens